Sri Lanka is home to the world’s first female Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, yet it remains a country with one of the lowest levels of female representation in Parliament globally. Despite this, there has been little progress in increasing female representation in leadership positions within the legislative and executive branches of Government since the country gained independence. Female representation in Sri Lanka’s political institutions has never exceeded 5.8 percent, a figure that has remained remarkably stagnant throughout the years. This issue extends beyond politics. In the private sector, while progress has been slow, there have been notable developments. For example, 14 Sri Lankan companies have pledged to increase female representation in leadership roles to 20 percent by 2025. These pledges reflect a growing awareness of the need for more inclusive leadership in decision-making positions. Recognising the importance of improving female leadership, the Government and civil society organisations (CSOs) are beginning to focus on this issue more directly. Women make up 51 percent of Sri Lanka’s population, yet their presence in local and National Government remains disproportionately low. In an effort to address this imbalance, the Government introduced a 25 percent quota for female candidates in local elections in 2017, a significant step towards increasing female political participation.Yet, its impact has yet to reach the national level. In the 2020 elections, women represented 12 percent of the total candidates. However, the number of women elected to Parliament remained unchanged at 12, maintaining the 5.3 percent representation.This highlights a crucial challenge: while the participation of women in politics has increased in certain areas, the National Parliament and Cabinet still lag behind in achieving gender parity. Historic milestones The 2024 general election recorded some remarkable achievements for women in Sri Lanka’s political scene. Sri Lanka has made a significant milestone marking the historical change in its 16th Parliament, with women MPs now holding 10.06 percent of the seats in Parliament, totalling 24 out of 225. The maximum it has been in the history was 5.8 percent in 2010. One of the most notable events was Dr. Harini Amarasuriya securing the second-highest preferential votes in the history of Sri Lankan elections. She broke the previous record set by Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2020, receiving over 655,289 preferential votes from the Colombo district. Dr. Harini’s achievement is not just a personal triumph, but a breakthrough for women in leadership. Her victory made history as she became Sri Lanka’s 16th Prime Minister, the first woman to hold the office from a non-political background. Another significant development was the election of Samival Ambika, the first woman to be elected to Parliament from the Upcountry Tamil community. By defeating entrenched political families and securing more votes than many male counterparts, Ambika broke the long standing male dominance in Upcountry politics. Her victory challenges the dynastic political control of the Thondamans and Digambaram families, who have dominated the plantation Tamil community for over 70 years. Ambika’s success offers hope for land rights, rural development, and addressing long standing issues in the hill country. Women in the Cabinet While the progress in terms of female MPs is encouraging, women’s representation in the Cabinet remains limited. On November 18, 2024, the newly formed NPP Government took office with a 21 member Cabinet, but only two women (Including the PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya) were appointed to key ministerial positions. This continues a long standing trend in Sri Lanka, where only 2-3 women have been included in the Cabinet at most. Women have typically been assigned roles in ministries such as Health, Education or Women and Child Affairs, areas that are often considered “gendered” issues rather than broader governance roles. Among the 29 Deputy Ministers appointed, none are women, highlighting a noticeable gender gap in the current leadership appointments. However, there is a glimmer of hope. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya holds a leadership role in the Cabinet, which signals a potential shift in how women might be integrated into more prominent political positions in the future. Despite this, the overall number of women in the Cabinet remains disappointingly low, with many areas of governance still largely male dominated. Women’s representation in politics is crucial for creating a fair and balanced society. In Sri Lanka, Parliament is the highest decision-making body in the country, and it plays a key role in shaping laws and policies. For a democracy to truly reflect the needs and values of its people, it must include both men and women in leadership roles. Gender equality in politics is not just about fairness, it’s also essential for achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal five, which calls for equal opportunities for women in decision-making at all levels. Studies show that when women hold leadership positions, they are more likely to address issues like gender-based violence, education, and healthcare, which leads to a safer, healthier, and more prosperous society for everyone. Women in politics also help improve the quality of life for families and communities. Research shows that women are more likely to focus on policies that benefit children, families, and minority groups, such as education, healthcare, and social welfare. Their leadership brings cooperation across party lines, as well as a more inclusive approach to solving problems. Women in politics have a powerful role model effect, inspiring girls to aim higher and close the gender gap in education and career goals. Studies in India and Fiji show that female leaders encourage more girls to pursue education and leadership roles. Moreover, women represent half of the world’s population, so for a Government to truly serve all its people, it must be inclusive of women. Having women in decision-making roles ensures that a wider range of issues are discussed and that solutions reflect the experiences and needs of all citizens. Women’s political participation strengthens democracy by promoting equality, diversity, and better policy outcomes. It benefits not only women but also everyone in society by creating a government that listens to and addresses the concerns of all its people The 2024 general election in Sri Lanka has been a milestone for women’s representation in politics. For the first time in the country’s history, 24 women were elected to Parliament, pushing the female representation to 10.06 percent, the highest ever recorded. Of these 24 women, 21 represent the National People’s Power (NPP), signalling a significant shift towards greater female participation in politics. Two women were elected from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party. The NPP made a strong commitment to gender inclusivity, fielding 36 women candidates in the election, a notable increase from previous years. Despite these strides, the overall representation of women in Sri Lanka’s highest decision-making body remains alarmingly low. Even though women’s electoral participation has been steadily increasing, there is still a significant gap between the number of female candidates and elected women representatives. The road ahead Although the 2024 general election marked a significant step forward for women’s participation in Sri Lankan politics, much work remains to be done. Women’s representation in Parliament and the Cabinet is still far below the level of gender equality needed for true democratic legitimacy. The increase in the number of female candidates, particularly from the NPP, shows that change is possible, but it will take more than just a growing number of women on the ballot. It requires political parties to make a meaningful commitment to gender equity in leadership roles. To address this, substantial legal and policy reforms are needed to create a more inclusive environment. Key recommendations for moving forward include empowering women through targeted training. This should focus on the legal framework, decision-making skills, media handling, and negotiation techniques to prepare women for leadership roles. Capacity building and peer support networks should also be prioritised, with training extended to entire councils rather than selected individuals, ensuring a more inclusive approach. Financial support for women candidates and international networking are also crucial for ensuring that women can compete on equal footing in elections. Transforming Sri Lanka’s political culture requires interventions that foster gender-sensitive policies and a national commission for women, as recommended in the Chulani Kodikara (2019) report. Ultimately, Sri Lanka’s political landscape must evolve to support women not just as candidates, but as leaders capable of driving change in the nation’s future.FRANCE: President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday (Dec 7) hosted three-way talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump, discussing what the American president-elect termed a world that was a "little crazy". Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump just before the three men headed to Notre-Dame for the re-opening ceremony of the great Paris cathedral was his first face-to-face meeting with tycoon-turned-politician since his election victory. The meeting was of huge importance to Zelenskyy given the fears in Kyiv that Trump, who once boasted he could end Russia's war on Ukraine in 24 hours, may urge Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow . It offered a unique chance for Macron to gain insights into how a second Trump presidency will shape out when he takes office in January, with the trip to Paris his first international visit since the election win. Trump and Macron embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honour despite not yet being in office. "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for the talks with Macron. Despite tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his ties with the centrist French leader, saying: "We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot". "REMEMBER THE SOLIDARITY" Macron told Trump it was "a great honour for French people to welcome you" for the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 during Trump's first term. "You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction," Macron added, speaking in English. When he first took office in 2017, Trump's ties with Macron - then also a fresh face on the world stage - began warmly despite their obvious political differences. Their long and muscular handshakes - which saw each man seek to assert his superiority - became a light-hearted focus of attention before ties cooled, then soured, following disputes about climate change, trade and defence. They were expected to discuss the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as trade. Trump earlier wrote on his Truth Social platform that the United States should "not get involved" in the situation in Syria , where fast-moving rebel forces say they have begun to encircle the capital Damascus . The Republican's return to power has rung alarms in Paris and many European capitals after his promises on the campaign trail to force an end to fighting in Ukraine which could see US military assistance to Kyiv withheld. Zelenskyy joined the talks around half an hour later, hurrying up the steps of the Elysee and posing for a photo with the two other men. The Ukrainian president, writing on social media, called the three-way meeting "good and productive". "We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way," he added. In his own reaction to the discussions, Macron wrote on social media: "Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security". Zelenskyy's spokesman Sergiy Nykyforov told journalists the meeting lasted approximately 35 minutes, with only the three leaders present. Trump has scoffed at the billions of dollars in US military assistance to Ukraine and has spoken of forcing a quick settlement. European allies have largely enjoyed a close working relationship with outgoing President Joe Biden on the crisis in the Middle East, but Trump is likely to distance himself and ally the United States even more closely with Israel . In a sign of the importance of Trump's one-day trip to Paris, he was accompanied by his pick for White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, as well as his Near East and Middle East advisors, Steve Witkoff and Massad Boulos, according to a guest list issued by the Elysee Palace. Tesla tycoon and Trump advisor Elon Musk also flew into the French capital and is expected at Notre Dame later, French sources told AFP.sports science 。

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Memphis vs. Mississippi State Basketball Tickets – Saturday, December 21 Published 5:03 pm Saturday, December 7, 2024 By Data Skrive The Memphis Tigers (7-1) will meet the Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-1) at 12:30 PM ET on Saturday, December 21, 2024. This contest is available via CBS. Looking for men’s college basketball tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live. Memphis vs. Mississippi State Game Info & Tickets Memphis vs. Mississippi State 2024-25 Stats Catch tons of live college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle. Memphis’ Top Players Mississippi State’s Top Players Watch college basketball, other live sports and more on Max. Use our link to sign up today. Memphis Schedule Mississippi State Schedule Watch men’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up.

Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal . Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. “For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached,” he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballExpert-approved: The books, TV, podcasts and films we loved this year

US News Today Live Updates: In today’s dynamic landscape, staying updated on the latest developments across the United States is essential. US News delivers the most impactful and current stories from coast to coast, covering a broad spectrum of topics, including politics, economic trends, healthcare, social issues, and cultural shifts. From significant government actions and economic shifts to breakthroughs in technology and the latest social debates, we provide real-time updates and thoughtful analysis to keep you informed. Our goal is to keep you connected to the stories that shape American life, ensuring you’re always in the know on the news that matters. US News Today Live: Donald Trump says US should avoid Syria: ‘This is a mess, but not our fight, let it play out’ US News Today Live: Ariana Grande's powerful response to body shaming critics—The Wicked star's message will leave you speechlessFormer Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal . Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. “For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached,” he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Yellowjackets Season 3: Teaser, First-Look Photos, Cast and Everything Else We KnowTrump says US shouldn’t intervene in Syria as opposition forces gain ground

Curl-Salemme, Michaela Cava each score twice, Frost beat Sceptres 6-3 in PWHLNo. 9 Oregon steamrolls Weber State to close nonconference slateNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans ' most consistent scoring threat in an ugly season now is on the injury report, and that's why they brought back a player for a bit of insurance. Kicker Nick Folk worked through some soreness, making a pair of field goals for Tennessee's only points last week in the Titans' loss to the Jaguars , his longest a 46-yarder. Both Folk and Brayden Narveson were on the field Wednesday during the portion of practice open to reporters, though the Titans listed Folk among six who did not practice. Coach Brian Callahan said it was just some “general soreness" for Folk. But as good as Folk has been this season, he turned 40 last month. So the Titans (3-10) signed Narveson to the practice squad Tuesday after he spent training camp with them in case they need an option Sunday when they host Cincinnati (5-8). “You’re always mindful of it with kickers and that kind of leg soreness," Callahan said. "So he finished the game but was sore. ... He doesn’t do anything on Wednesdays anyway. He’ll try to kick (Thursday), and we’ll see where he’s at. So I don’t really know how to feel about it either way. I just know he’ll kick tomorrow, and then we’ll have a better feel for his status after that.” Folk has an NFL record streak of 85 consecutive field goals made on attempts from less than 40 yards, which included a 39-yarder that put the Titans up 6-0 last week. He ranks 14th in NFL history with 403 field goals and trails Arizona kicker Matt Prater by just four. Prater, who has 407 field goals, currently is on injured reserve. The kicker signed a new deal this offseason after New England traded him to Tennessee in 2023 with Folk going on to lead both the NFL and set a franchise record, making 96.7% of his field goals (29 of 30). Folk has been nearly perfect this season, making all 22 extra point attempts and is 21 of 22 on field goals, including matching his career-long with a 56-yarder earlier this season. Narveson had an impressive preseason for Tennessee, letting Folk focus on preparing for the regular season. The rookie from N.C. State was 6 of 7 on field-goal attempts, including a 59-yarder. He also made a 46-yard attempt as time expired in a 16-15 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. His lone miss was a 58-yarder at the end of the Titans' preseason finale that was nearly returned for a touchdown. He made his first try only to have it nullified because a timeout had been called. Green Bay claimed Narveson when Tennessee waived him at the final roster cutdown. The Packers waived Narveson in October after the kicker missed a league-high five field-goal attempts. “If for some reason he can’t go Sunday, Brayden will be ready to roll in and he’ll kick and do all that,” Callahan said of Narveson. "So obviously it’s nice to have some familiarity with him, and he’s here in case we need him.” Among the Titans who practiced fully Wednesday was quarterback Will Levis . He said after the loss to the Jaguars that he played the second half after getting a shot after aggravating his right, throwing shoulder. He sprained the AC joint in that shoulder early in a win over Miami on Sept. 30 and later missed three games with the injury. “Feel good,” Levis said after a 75-minute practice. “Just going to see how the week goes and see how the body responds, but I definitely feel better than the last time I nicked it up.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

TORONTO (AP) — Britta Curl-Salemme and Michaela Cava each scored twice and the Minnesota Frost beat the Toronto Sceptres 6-3 on Saturday in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Curl-Salemme gave Minnesota a 4-3 lead at 6:29 of the third period. Cava scored the final two goals, the last into an empty net. Claire Butorac and Dominique Petrie also scored and Maddy Rooney stopped 21 shots to help Minnesota improve to 2-0-1. Daryl Watts, Victoria Bach and Jesse Compher scored for Toronto. The Sceptres are 1-2-0. Minnesota beat Toronto for the fourth straight game dating to last season’s playoffs. The Frost won the final three games of a best-of-five semifinal after dropping the first two. Frost: Defender Maggie Flaherty served the first game of a two-game suspension for a headshot on Boston’s Alina Mueller, with Mae Batherson taking her place for her PWHL debut. Batherson is the younger sister of Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson. Sceptres: Rylind MacKinnon is one of only two Canadian university players in the PWHL, with New York's Emmy Fecteau from Concordia the other. MacKinn, a former University of British Columbia defender, has two assists this season. Toronto is at New York on Wednesday night. Minnesota host Ottawa on Thursday night. ___ AP sports: https://apnews.com/sportsSubscribe to our newsletter Privacy Policy Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in. Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. An account was already registered with this email. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. Support Independent Arts Journalism As an independent publication, we rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, consider becoming a member today . Already a member? Sign in here. We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, please join us as a member . Pope Francis and the Holy See drew polarized reactions across the globe after unveiling a Nativity scene featuring a wood-carved infant Jesus laying on a keffiyeh in his manger last Saturday, December 7. The symbol of solidarity with Palestine, which sparked both praise and outrage internationally, has since disappeared from the scene along with the entire manger and model of baby Jesus as of today, December 11. Initially reported by Christian and Italian news outlets , the removal of the manger, baby Jesus, and the keffiyeh was first observed during Pope Francis’s general audience at Paul VI Hall , where only the carved figures of the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and some surrounding stuffed sheep remain. The Nativity was designed by Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, two Palestinian artists from the city of Bethlehem in the Occupied West Bank, and carved by Bethlehem artist Peter Khano from a single olive tree per cultural tradition. It was a joint gift to the Vatican from Dar al-Kalima University, the Palestinian Embassy at the Holy See, and the Higher Presidential Committee of Churches Affairs in Palestine. Hyperallergic contacted the artists and a spokesperson for the Holy See for comment. Get the latest art news, reviews and opinions from Hyperallergic. Daily Weekly Opportunities It’s worth noting that the Vatican and many Christians abide by the tradition of waiting until Christmas Eve to put the model of baby Jesus in his manger in their respective Nativity scenes; however, the manger itself is usually left empty until Christmas rather than omitted overall. Further, the scene’s removal came after an outpouring of online criticism about the keffiyeh’s inclusion from pro-Israel entities, with netizens , organizations , and outlets alike accusing the Vatican of blasphemy by distorting or misrepresenting the identity of Jesus Christ as Palestinian instead of Jewish. One user on X commented that using the keffiyeh, “a garment that represents violence to Jews,” turned the Nativity scene into a site of hate for Jewish people. Pope Francis, who has used his platform to acknowledge the death and suffering in Gaza and advocate for peace throughout the region on multiple occasions, drew outrage last month after calling for an investigation into Israel’s attacks to determine whether they constitute genocide . He has twice met with the families of hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7, and with some of the freed hostages after their release as well. The keffiyeh, a cultural garment tied to Palestinian identity and broader Arab heritage, has been at the center of controversy in the last year. The Noguchi Museum in New York City recently barred its employees from wearing the scarf , calling it an example of “political dress” that could cause discomfort to visitors. The policy sparked various protests in solidarity with four museum staff members who were terminated after they refused to comply with it. Weeks after the 2023 attack, Christie’s auction house in London pulled two paintings by Lebanese artist Ayman Baalbaki from its Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art sale after multiple complaints — though his portrayal of a keffiyeh in one painting is related to experiences of loss and displacement due to the Lebanese Civil War. We hope you enjoyed this article! Before you keep reading, please consider supporting Hyperallergic ’s journalism during a time when independent, critical reporting is increasingly scarce. Unlike many in the art world, we are not beholden to large corporations or billionaires. Our journalism is funded by readers like you , ensuring integrity and independence in our coverage. We strive to offer trustworthy perspectives on everything from art history to contemporary art. We spotlight artist-led social movements, uncover overlooked stories, and challenge established norms to make art more inclusive and accessible. With your support, we can continue to provide global coverage without the elitism often found in art journalism. If you can, please join us as a member today . Millions rely on Hyperallergic for free, reliable information. By becoming a member, you help keep our journalism free, independent, and accessible to all. Thank you for reading. Share Copied to clipboard Mail Bluesky Threads LinkedIn Facebook‘Had to’: What alleged killer really wanted

Rosen Law Firm Encourages Macy's, Inc. Investors to Inquire About Securities Class Action Investigation - MMunicipalities are the most on the ground level of government that can effectively intervene in the issues of top importance to Canadians. A survey conducted by Abacus Data on behalf of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) found that municipalities are also the most trusted level of government. And yet they are bound by the fiscal regime of upper levels of government. Of those surveyed, housing affordability was the biggest concern at 44 per cent, followed by the quality of roads and highways at 30 per cent, and traffic congestion at 29 per cent. Homelessness and crime in the community were tied at 27 per cent. Canadians were also concerned with crime, aging municipal infrastructure, and improving the quality of municipal services, like transit and recreation, as communities grow. “Life is too hard for too many Canadians in too many communities,” FCM’s new president Rebecca Bligh, a Vancouver City Councillor, said in a press release. “Whether you live in a rural or urban community, the reality is the same: bills are harder to pay, feeling of insecurity is growing, transportation is inadequate, and homelessness is commonplace. It’s time to fix those issues for good.” But measures taken by the federal and provincial governments aimed at making life easier for Canadians have done very little to support those struggling the most. In Ontario, and municipal housing targets have yet to spur any true growth of affordable homes for Ontarians. Conservative leaders in Nova Scotia and Alberta have also been targeted for a failure to address the growing housing crisis. On the federal stage, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced a over the holiday period. But the FCM argues that short-term measures are not enough to support growing populations. FCM is proposing the creation of a new Municipal Growth Framework that would see the three levels of government negotiate a more equitable sharing of existing taxes. The new agreement, the FCM states, would enable municipalities to make residents’ lives more affordable, infrastructure more reliable and your community safer. It is asking the federal government to commit to this negotiation within the 2024-25 budget cycle. “Should Ottawa turn a deaf ear to this request, municipalities will be unable to fix today’s problems with the current toolset,” a press release from FCM states. “In the lead up to the next federal election, all political parties must remember that municipalities are fighting for Canadians and that it is only through collaboration amongst all orders of government that we can achieve lasting benefits.”Titans kicker Nick Folk dealing with soreness so Tennessee added insurance

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